John C. Watson

John Charles Watson, 85, of Park Rapids, MN passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Sanford Medical Center in Bemidji, MN.

John was born March 31, 1935 to John and Edna (Olson) Watson in Cokato, MN. In 1953 he graduated from Cokato High School then entered the United States Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956. He worked for United Telephone Company from 1951 until 1961 when he graduated from St. Cloud State University. He worked several years for Royalton High School then began a thirty year career with Minnesota Power, retiring in 1994.

He was united in marriage to Polly Anderson in 1961. Polly passed away in 1996. In 1997 John was united in marriage to Beverly Rohwer.

John enjoyed genealogy, wood-working, fishing, and hunting. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, the Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, and received several awards including the Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellow in 1994, the Rotary H. N. Bishop Award for Community Service in 1992, and Lion of the Year for 1990-1991.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his son, Scott (Rita) Watson of Virginia Beach, VA; his stepchildren, Tim (Lanae) Rohwer of Ankeny, IO, Teri Haggar of Park Rapids, Tom (Nan) Rohwer of Park Rapids, Tammy (Dean) Claussen of Tucson, AZ, and Traci Petry of Tucson, AZ; Brother-in-law, Harold Anderson of Huntsville, AL; 27 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Polly; daughter, Kathleen; and his step-son, Todd Rohwer.

Funeral services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Bethel Cemetery of Park Rapids.

Flowers can be sent to the family, or in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in John’s name to the American Diabetes Association.

Arrangements by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids. Friends may leave online condolences at ceasefuneralhome.com